WO2012153478A1

WO2012153478A1 - Image display device, image display method, and integrated circuit

Info

Publication number: WO2012153478A1
Application number: PCT/JP2012/002868
Authority: WO
Inventors: 林　克彦; 式井　愼一; 圭司杉山
Original assignee: パナソニック株式会社
Priority date: 2011-05-10
Filing date: 2012-04-26
Publication date: 2012-11-15
Also published as: CN102971661A; JPWO2012153478A1; US20130113767A1

Abstract

An image display device (10) comprises: a light source (11); an image display unit (13) which is configured from a plurality of pixels; a deflector unit (12) which is configured from a plurality of regions, and which deflects light heading from the light source (11) toward the image display unit (13) in each region; and a light control unit (16) which controls the light which respectively passes through the plurality of regions of the deflector unit (12) to be deflected toward either of mutually differing first or second points according to pixel values of the pixels which correspond to the regions.

Description

Image display device, image display method, and integrated circuit

The present invention relates to an image display device for displaying an image such as a liquid crystal display and a display projection device such as a projector.

As elements that can actively control the behavior of light, there are conventionally elements that use liquid crystals, elements that use adjacent surfaces of materials with different refractive indexes and use surface tension generated between them (for example, electwetting), etc. Are known.

Patent Document 1 discloses the following technology relating to an automotive headlamp. Specifically, Patent Document 1 uses a liquid crystal prism in which two transparent substrates having a transparent electrode and a light distribution film face each other in a non-parallel manner and is filled with liquid crystal therebetween, and uses the change in refractive index. The content of scanning light is disclosed.

Patent Document 2 discloses a directional lighting device for an autostereoscopic display. Specifically, Patent Document 2 discloses an apparatus that has a surface emitting illumination unit and an imaging unit and deflects and collects light using an array of droplet driving cells in accordance with the position of an observer. Has been. The droplet driving cell is one that controls the surface tension of a liquid by using an electrostatic potential and controls the refractive power of light.

JP 63-119101 A Special table 2010-5294485 gazette

In recent years, it has been required to improve the contrast of image display devices.

The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and an object thereof is to provide an image display device with improved contrast.

An image display device according to an aspect of the present invention includes a light source and a plurality of pixels, and includes an image display unit that controls a transmission amount of light output from the light source for each pixel, and a plurality of regions. , According to the pixel value of the pixel corresponding to the region, the deflecting unit that deflects light from the light source toward the image display unit for each region, and the light that passes through each of the plurality of regions of the deflecting unit, A light control unit that controls which of the first and second points is different from each other.

These general or specific aspects may be realized by a system, a method, an integrated circuit, a computer program, or a recording medium, and are realized by any combination of the system, method, integrated circuit, computer program, and recording medium. May be.

According to the present invention, an image display device with high contrast can be obtained.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view illustrating an appearance of the image display apparatus according to Embodiment 1. FIG. FIG. 2 is a functional block diagram of the image display apparatus according to the first embodiment. FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating the configuration of the light source, the deflection unit, and the image display unit. FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating a specific configuration of the deflecting unit. FIG. 5A is a diagram illustrating an example of dividing the deflection unit into a plurality of regions. FIG. 5B is a diagram illustrating another example in which the deflection unit is divided into a plurality of regions. FIG. 6 is a flowchart of the image display method according to the first embodiment. FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating a light collection position of light transmitted through each region of the deflection unit when the pixel group B of the image display unit is in black display (brightness is less than a predetermined threshold). FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating a condensing position of light output from the image display device according to the second embodiment. FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating a condensing position of light transmitted through each region of the deflection unit when the pixel group D in the image display unit is black display (brightness is less than a predetermined threshold). FIG. 10 is a perspective view of one region constituting the first and second deflecting units. FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating an example in which the area of the deflection unit is divided into small areas corresponding to sub-pixels.

In the conventional technology described above, there is no description of control according to the characteristics of the image displayed on the display device, such as a method for controlling deflection of light and a method for controlling illumination of an image. Further, there is no description regarding the illuminance distribution state in the actually illuminated illumination area, the state of the sharpness of the image in which the displayed image is actually formed on the retina, or the image quality.

In the case of controlling the light beam, it is necessary to effectively control the deflection direction and the driving method of the light beam transmitted through each of the divided areas according to the displayed image. If these controls cannot be executed properly, there is a problem that the image quality is significantly degraded.

In order to solve such a problem, an image display device according to one embodiment of the present invention includes a light source and a plurality of pixels, and controls an amount of light transmitted from the light source for each pixel. A display unit, and a plurality of regions, a deflection unit configured to deflect light from the light source toward the image display unit for each region, and light transmitted through each of the plurality of regions of the deflection unit to the region. A light control unit that controls which of the first and second points is different from each other according to the pixel value of the corresponding pixel.

As described above, an image display device with high contrast can be obtained by controlling the direction of light transmitted through each region of the deflection unit in accordance with the pixel value of each pixel of the image display unit.

For example, the light control unit deflects light transmitted through the region corresponding to a pixel whose brightness is equal to or higher than a predetermined threshold toward the first point, and the brightness corresponds to a pixel whose brightness is lower than the threshold. Light passing through the region may be deflected toward the second point.

In other words, the light transmitted through the region corresponding to the pixel displaying black or a color close to black is deflected toward the second point, and the light transmitted through the region corresponding to the pixel displaying the other color is first. It only has to pass through the point.

Furthermore, the image display device may further include a detection unit that detects the position of the viewer's eyes. The light control unit may set the position of the viewer's eye detected by the detection unit as the first point, and the position deviated from the viewer's eye as the second point.

This deflects light that should not originally enter the viewer's eyes (for example, light leaking from the pixels that display black) toward a position off the viewer's eyes, so that an image display device with high contrast can be obtained. Obtainable.

Further, the image display device may alternately display a right eye image and a left eye image having parallax with each other. And the said light control part makes the position of the viewer's right eye detected by the said detection part the said 1st point at the timing when the image for right eyes is displayed, and the timing when the image for left eyes is displayed Thus, the position of the left eye of the viewer detected by the detection unit may be set as the first point.

This makes it possible to display a stereoscopic image without using active shutter glasses or the like.

The deflecting unit includes a first deflecting unit that deflects light output from the light source in a first direction, and a second that intersects the light transmitted through the first deflecting unit with the first direction. And a second deflecting unit that deflects in the direction.

This makes it possible to deflect the light transmitted through each region of the deflecting unit toward an arbitrary three-dimensional position.

Further, the area may be composed of n small areas provided corresponding to n (n is a natural number of 2 or more) sub-pixels constituting the pixel. The light control unit may individually control the deflection angle of the n small regions so that the light transmitted through each of the n sub-pixels is deflected toward the first point. Good.

Thereby, it is possible to absorb the deviation of the deflection angle caused by the difference in the frequency of the light transmitted through each sub-pixel, and to collect the light of all colors on the first point. As a result, an image display device with higher contrast can be obtained.

For example, the image display unit may be a liquid crystal panel.

For example, the deflection unit may control the deflection direction by changing the light distribution of the liquid crystal.

For example, the image display device may include a plurality of the light sources. And the said image display part may be comprised with the said pixel 10 times or more of the number of the said light sources.

An image display method according to an aspect of the present invention includes a light source and a plurality of pixels, and includes an image display unit that controls a transmission amount of light output from the light source for each pixel, and a plurality of regions. A method of displaying an image on an image display device including a deflection unit that deflects light directed from the light source toward the image display unit for each region. In this image display method, light transmitted through each of the plurality of regions of the deflecting unit is deflected toward different first and second points according to the pixel value of a pixel corresponding to the region. A light control step for controlling the above.

An integrated circuit according to an aspect of the present invention includes a light source and a plurality of pixels, and includes an image display unit that controls a transmission amount of light output from the light source for each pixel, and a plurality of regions. An image is displayed on an image display device including a deflection unit that deflects light directed from the light source toward the image display unit for each region. In this integrated circuit, the light transmitted through each of the plurality of regions of the deflecting unit is deflected toward different first and second points according to the pixel value of the pixel corresponding to the region. The light control part which controls is provided.

Note that these general or specific aspects may be realized by a system, method, integrated circuit, computer program, or recording medium, and realized by any combination of the system, method, integrated circuit, computer program, or recording medium. May be.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. Note that each of the embodiments described below shows a specific example of the present invention. The numerical values, shapes, materials, constituent elements, arrangement positions and connecting forms of the constituent elements, steps, order of steps, and the like shown in the following embodiments are merely examples, and are not intended to limit the present invention. In addition, among the constituent elements in the following embodiments, constituent elements that are not described in the independent claims indicating the highest concept are described as optional constituent elements.

(Embodiment 1)
The configuration of the image display apparatus according to Embodiment 1 will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 5B. First, FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing an external appearance of an image display device 10 according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a functional block diagram of the image display apparatus 10 according to the first embodiment.

First, as shown in FIG. 1, a typical example of the image display apparatus 10 according to Embodiment 1 is a television receiver. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and can be applied to all image display devices such as a portable terminal and a personal computer. As shown in FIG. 2, the image display device 10 according to the first embodiment includes a light source 11, a deflection unit 12, an image display unit 13, an image acquisition unit 14, a detection unit 15, and light control. The unit 16 is mainly provided.

The light source 11 outputs light and functions as a backlight of the image display device 10. That is, the light output from the light source 11 is output to the outside of the image display device 10 by passing through the deflection unit 12 and the image display unit 13. Although the specific structure of the light source 11 is not specifically limited, For example, a laser light source may be sufficient and a LED (Light Emitting Diode) light source may be sufficient.

The deflection unit 12 deflects the light output from the light source 11 in a predetermined direction and outputs the deflected light to the image display unit 13. More specifically, the deflecting unit 12 includes a plurality of regions, and individually deflects light from the light source 11 toward the image display unit 13 for each region. A specific configuration of the deflection unit 12 will be described later with reference to FIGS. 4, 5A, and 5B.

The image display unit 13 includes a plurality of pixels arranged in a matrix and displays the image acquired by the image acquisition unit 14. Although the specific configuration of the image display unit 13 is not particularly limited, the image display unit 13 displays an image by controlling the amount of light transmitted through the backlight (light source 11), and typically corresponds to a liquid crystal panel.

The image acquisition unit 14 acquires image data (including video data; the same applies hereinafter) displayed by the image display device 10. Although the acquisition destination of the image data is not particularly limited, the image acquisition unit 14 may acquire the image data from, for example, a broadcast wave, may acquire from a content server on the Internet through a communication network, or the HDD. (Hard disk drive), DVD (digital versatile disc), BD (Blu-ray Disc), or other storage media.

The detecting unit 15 detects the position of the eye of the viewer who views the image on the image display device 10. Then, the detection unit 15 notifies the deflection control unit 162 of the detected eye position. Although the specific structure of the detection part 15 is not specifically limited, For example, as FIG. 1 shows, the camera which image | photographs the area | region which can see the display surface of the image display apparatus 10 may be sufficient. Further, when it is desired to detect the position of the viewer's eyes more accurately, a stereo camera may be used.

However, the image display device 10 does not necessarily include a camera. That is, the detection unit 15 may provide an interface connected to an external camera, and may detect the position of the viewer's eyes by analyzing image data acquired from the camera through this interface.

The light control unit 16 controls the deflection unit 12. More specifically, as illustrated in FIG. 2, the light control unit 16 includes a pixel determination unit 161 and a deflection control unit 162, and transmits light that passes through each of the plurality of regions of the deflection unit 12. In accordance with the pixel value of the pixel of the image display unit 13 corresponding to the above, it is controlled which of the first and second points is different from each other.

The pixel discriminating unit 161 acquires image data of an image to be displayed on the image display unit 13 and discriminates the pixel value of each pixel of the image display unit 13. More specifically, the pixel determination unit 161 determines whether the brightness of each pixel is equal to or higher than a predetermined threshold value or less than the predetermined threshold value. That is, the pixel determining unit 161 determines whether each pixel displays black or a color close to black, or displays other colors.

Although the specific example of a predetermined threshold is not specifically limited, For example, when the pixel value of each pixel is expressed by RGB, let the total of RGB be a predetermined threshold (for example, preferably 20, more preferably 5, etc.) Also good. Alternatively, when the pixel value of each pixel is expressed by the luminance (Y) and the color difference (Cb, Cr), the luminance (Y) may be set to a predetermined threshold (for example, 10, preferably 5, more preferably 3, etc.) Good.

The deflection control unit 162 acquires the determination result of the pixel value of each pixel from the pixel determination unit 161, and acquires the position of the viewer's eyes from the detection unit 15. Then, the deflection control unit 162 deflects the light transmitted through the region of the deflecting unit 12 corresponding to the pixel whose brightness is equal to or greater than the predetermined threshold toward the first point, and corresponds to the pixel whose brightness is less than the threshold. The deflecting unit 12 is individually controlled for each region so that light transmitted through the region of the deflecting unit 12 is deflected toward the second point.

Here, typically, the first point is the position of the viewer's eyes, and the second point is the position away from the viewer's eyes. That is, the deflection control unit 162 condenses light that passes through pixels close to black at a position off the viewer's eyes, and condenses light that passes through pixels of other colors at the viewer's eyes. Thus, the deflection unit 12 is controlled.

Next, FIG. 3 is a diagram showing the configuration of the light source 11, the deflection unit 12, and the image display unit 13. The light source 11 includes, for example, R, G, and B color solid-state lasers 111 and a light guide plate 112. The three color light beams L emitted from the solid-state laser 111 spread uniformly throughout the light guide plate 112 while repeating total reflection in the light guide plate 112. Further, the structures 113 are regularly arranged on the bottom surface of the light guide plate 112, and the light beam L reflected by the structures 113 breaks the total reflection condition and is emitted upward from the light guide plate 112. The light beam L emitted from the light guide plate 112 is incident on the deflecting unit 12 disposed on the light guide plate 112.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a specific configuration of the deflecting unit 12. The deflecting unit 12 can control the light deflection direction by changing the light distribution of the liquid crystal. For example, as shown in FIG. 4, the deflecting unit 12 sandwiches the liquid crystal deflecting element 121 and the liquid crystal deflecting element 121. A pair of

transparent substrates

124 and 125 arranged in this manner, and a pair of

transparent electrodes

126 and 127 arranged further outside the pair of

transparent substrates

124 and 125.

The liquid crystal deflecting element 121 includes a liquid crystal 122 having a triangular cross-sectional shape and a dielectric 123 having a shape complementary to the shape of the liquid crystal 122. Then, by arranging the liquid crystal 122 and the dielectric 123 having a triangular cross-sectional shape so that their inclined surfaces are in contact with each other, the liquid crystal deflecting element 121 is configured to have a rectangular cross-section as a whole.

The pair of

transparent base materials

124 and 125 are disposed on one side (the light source 11 side) and the other side (the image display unit 13 side) of the liquid crystal deflection element 121. The transparent electrode 126 is disposed on the surface of the transparent substrate 124 opposite to the liquid crystal deflecting element 121. The transparent electrode 127 is disposed on the surface of the transparent base 125 opposite to the liquid crystal deflecting element 121.

In other words, the transparent substrate 124 holds the liquid crystal deflecting element 121 on one surface (lower side in FIG. 4) and the transparent electrode 126 on the other side (upper side in FIG. 4). Similarly, the transparent substrate 125 holds the liquid crystal deflecting element 121 on one side (upper side in FIG. 4) and holds the transparent electrode 127 on the other side (lower side in FIG. 4).

The dielectric 123 can be made of, for example, a polymer resin such as plastic, or glass. The dielectric 123 is made of a material having a refractive index substantially equal to the refractive index of the liquid crystal 122 in a certain alignment state (for example, the alignment state of the liquid crystal 122 when no voltage is applied to the pair of transparent electrodes 126 and 127).

That is, in a state where no voltage is applied to the pair of

transparent electrodes

126 and 127, the light incident on the liquid crystal deflecting element 121 travels straight. On the other hand, when a predetermined voltage is applied between the pair of

transparent electrodes

126 and 127, the refractive index of the liquid crystal 122 is modulated, and the light incident on the liquid crystal deflecting element 121 is deflected in a predetermined direction.

Specifically, when the refractive index NL of the liquid crystal 122 is higher than the refractive index ND of the dielectric 123, the light is refracted in the direction indicated by the arrow α in FIG. On the other hand, when the refractive index NL of the liquid crystal 122 is lower than the refractive index ND of the dielectric 123, the light is refracted in the direction indicated by the arrow β in FIG. Thus, by controlling the voltage applied between the pair of

transparent electrodes

126 and 127, the light deflection angle can be modulated.

Further, the deflection unit 12 is divided into a plurality of regions. The pair of

transparent electrodes

126 and 127 can apply different voltages to the respective regions. That is, the light transmitted through each region can be deflected in different directions. 2 applies a predetermined voltage to the pair of

transparent electrodes

126 and 127 in each region so that light transmitted through each region of the deflection unit 12 is deflected in a desired direction.

5A and 5B are diagrams illustrating an example in which the deflection unit 12 is divided into a plurality of regions. As shown in FIG. 5A, the deflecting unit 12 may be divided into strip-like (striped)

regions

12a, 12b, 12c,. Or as FIG. 5B shows, the deflection | deviation part 12 may be divided | segmented into matrix form like area | region 12aa, 12ab, 12ba, 12bb, .... A cross section taken along line IV-IV in FIGS. 5A and 5B corresponds to FIG. However, the way of dividing the deflection unit 12 is not limited to these.

In addition, a condenser lens 17 is disposed on the deflection unit 12. The condenser lens 17 amplifies the deflection angle of the light transmitted through the deflecting unit 12. In addition, an image display unit 13 is disposed above the condenser lens 17. The image display unit 13 includes a plurality of pixels arranged in a matrix, and includes an electrode that determines the brightness of each pixel according to a desired input image signal, a driving device (driver), and the like (not shown). . For example, the light transmitted through the image display unit 13 is collected at a condensing point P in FIG.

Note that the number of regions of the deflection unit 12 and the number of pixels of the image display unit 13 are in a one-to-one or one-to-many relationship. That is, the pixels of the image display unit 13 are equal to or more finely divided than the region of the deflection unit 12. As a result, the light transmitted through one region of the deflecting unit 12 enters one or more pixels of the image display unit 13. Therefore, one or more pixels on which light transmitted through one region is incident are referred to as pixels corresponding to the region.

According to the above configuration, the light transmitted through the deflecting unit 12, the condensing lens 17, and the image display unit 13 can be condensed at an arbitrary condensing point P. Here, the arbitrary condensing point P corresponds to, for example, the position of the eye of the viewer who views the image on the image display device 10.

Here, by condensing the light transmitted through the image display unit 13 to the viewer's eyes, the brightness of the image displayed on the image display unit 13 can be improved. As a result, the power of the light source 11 can be minimized, which contributes to power saving. Here, an example of an effective control method of the deflection unit 12 based on the pixel value of each pixel of the image display unit 13 will be described with reference to FIGS. 6 and 7.

First, the deflection control unit 162 of the light control unit 16 determines the first point and the second point (S11). Specifically, the deflection control unit 162 sets the position of the viewer's eyes detected by the detection unit 15 as a first point, and sets the position away from the viewer's eyes as a second point. That is, in the example of FIG. 7, the condensing point P becomes the first point, and the condensing point Q becomes the second point.

Next, the light control unit 16 executes the processing of step S12 to step S17 in FIG. First, the pixel determination unit 161 acquires image data from the image acquisition unit 14, and determines the pixel value (brightness) of each pixel corresponding to the region to be processed (S13).

If there is a pixel whose brightness is equal to or greater than the threshold among the pixels corresponding to the region (Yes in S14), the deflection control unit 162 causes the light transmitted through the region to be focused on the condensing point P (first point). ), A predetermined voltage is applied to the pair of

transparent electrodes

126 and 127 in the region (S15). On the other hand, when the brightness of all the pixels corresponding to the area is less than the threshold value (No in S14), the deflection control unit 162 collects the light transmitted through the area at the condensing point Q (second point). A predetermined voltage is applied to the pair of

transparent electrodes

126 and 127 in the region so as to emit light (S16).

FIG. 7 is a diagram showing a condensing position of light transmitted through each region of the deflection unit 12 when the pixel group B of the image display unit 13 is black (brightness is less than a predetermined threshold). When the pixel group B displays black, the light transmitted through the region A of the deflecting unit 12 corresponding to the pixel group B is deflected so as to be condensed at the condensing point Q, not at the condensing point P. On the other hand, the light transmitted through the region other than the region A is deflected so as to be condensed at the condensing point P. In addition, the condensing point Q is not a certain limited position, and may be a position different from the condensing point P where other light is condensed. That is, there may be a plurality of condensing points Q.

Here, when the pixel group B displays black, if the liquid crystal panel is a normal liquid crystal panel, the light transmission amount is controlled to be the lowest by changing the deflection direction of the liquid crystal corresponding to the pixel group B. However, some of the light still passes through the liquid crystal panel and reaches the viewer's eyes, thus reducing the contrast of the image. For this reason, the light control unit 16 according to the first embodiment transmits the region A in order to prevent even a minute amount of light transmitted through the pixel group B that is black display from being collected on the viewer's eyes. Light is deflected to a condensing point Q different from the condensing point P. For this reason, the light transmitted through the pixel group B does not reach the viewer's eyes. As a result, the dynamic range of the contrast of the image can be expanded, and a good image quality can be obtained.

Here, although the solid-state laser 111 is employed as the light source 11, the first embodiment is not limited thereto. For example, an LED light source may be used, and R, G, and B may not be separate light sources. That is, the light source may be a single pseudo white light source.

In addition, the solid-state laser 111 included in the light source 11 may be one or plural. However, the remarkable effect of the image display method according to the first embodiment is that the number of pixels of the image display unit 13 is extremely larger than the number of light sources (solid laser 111 in the example of FIG. 3). As an example, the number of pixels is 10 times or more the number of light sources.

Here, the viewer's eyes may be either left or right. In the above example, light is focused on one eye, but the present invention is not limited to this. Further, as a focusing range, a part of the light only needs to reach the pupil of the eye. That is, the light may be condensed on a predetermined area including the position of the user's eyes. Further, the range of light collection may include not only one eye but also both eyes. Further, the deflecting unit 12 may be controlled in a time-sharing manner so that the light is focused on the left eye (right eye) for a certain time and the other right eye (left eye) for the next time.

Furthermore, in the first embodiment, when the brightness of all the pixels corresponding to one area is less than the threshold value, the example in which the light transmitted through the area is deflected to the second point has been described. It is not limited to this. For example, if the brightness of pixels of a predetermined ratio (a majority, 80%, etc.) of a plurality of pixels corresponding to one area is less than a threshold value, light transmitted through the area is deflected to the second point. Also good. Alternatively, an average value of pixel values of a plurality of pixels corresponding to one region (or a pixel value of the brightest pixel) may be compared with a threshold value.

(Embodiment 2)
Next, an image display apparatus according to Embodiment 2 will be described with reference to FIGS. A detailed description of points common to the first embodiment will be omitted, and differences will be mainly described. The basic configuration of the image display apparatus according to Embodiments 1 and 2 is the same as that shown in FIGS.

FIG. 8 is a diagram showing a condensing position of light output from the image display apparatus according to Embodiment 2 of the present invention. The image display device 10 according to the second embodiment displays the right-eye image and the left-eye image constituting the stereoscopic image alternately, and condenses the light of the right-eye image at the position of the viewer's right eye. Then, the light of the left-eye image is condensed at the position of the viewer's left eye.

When performing stereoscopic image display, the image display unit 13 alternately displays the right-eye image and the left-eye image sequentially. The right eye image is an image of an object viewed with the right eye. The left-eye image is an image of an object viewed with the left eye. That is, the right-eye image and the left-eye image have different parallax because they are viewed at different angles. Such right-eye image and left-eye image are displayed sequentially, and the right-eye image is focused only on the viewer's right eye, and the left-eye image is focused only on the viewer's left eye. The viewer can feel a three-dimensional feeling.

Note that the stereoscopic image data may be images taken from two different points as described above, or may be generated by computer graphics. The image acquisition unit 14 may acquire image data including a right-eye image and a left-eye image, or obtain a three-dimensional image (right-eye image and left-eye image) from the acquired two-dimensional image. It may be generated.

The light control unit 16 also deflects the light output from the image display device 10 at the right eye position of the viewer at the timing when the image for the right eye is displayed on the image display unit 13. The voltage of each of the 12 regions and the refractive index of the liquid crystal layer are controlled. Here, the positions of the right eye and the left eye of the viewer can be specified from an image captured by a camera arranged in the image display device 10.

In addition, the light control unit 16 is configured so that the light output from the image display device 10 is focused on the viewer's left eye at the timing when the image for the left eye is displayed on the image display unit 13. The voltage of each region and the refractive index of the liquid crystal layer are controlled. As described above, the light control unit 16 controls the deflection unit 12 in synchronization with switching of images displayed on the image display unit 13.

In such a configuration, an effective control method of the deflection unit 12 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating a condensing position of light transmitted through each region of the deflecting unit 12 when the pixel group D in the image display unit 13 displays black (brightness is less than a predetermined threshold).

When the pixel group D displays black, the light control unit 16 does not use the condensing points P ₁ and P ₂ where the light transmitted through the region C of the deflection unit 12 corresponding to the pixel group D is the positions of the left and right eyes, The deflecting unit 12 is controlled so as to collect light at the condensing points Q ₁ and Q ₂ . The condensing points Q ₁ and Q ₂ are not limited positions, and may be positions different from the condensing points P ₁ and P ₂ where other light is condensed.

More specifically, the light control unit 16 condenses the light transmitted through the black pixel group D at the condensing point Q ₁ at the timing when the image for the right eye is displayed on the image display unit 13. light transmitted through the pixels such that collected at the focal point P _1, for controlling the deflection unit 12. Further, the light control unit 16, at the timing when the left eye image is displayed on the image display unit 13, light transmitted through the pixel group D of the black is collected at the focal point Q _2, passes through the other pixels light is to be focused at the focal point P _2, controlling the deflection unit 12.

In the second embodiment, an example in which a viewer views a stereoscopic image by alternately displaying a right-eye image and a left-eye image in a time-division manner has been described, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the image display unit 13 may be spatially divided to display the right eye image and the left eye image simultaneously. Specifically, the image display unit 13 displays the right eye image on some of the plurality of pixels and displays the left eye image on the remaining pixels. Then, the light control section 16 condenses the light transmitted through the pixels to display the right-eye image at the focal point P _1, the light transmitted through the pixels to display the image for the left eye at the focal point P ₂ You may control the deflection | deviation part 12 so that it may condense.

In the first and second embodiments, the example in which the light transmitted through the deflecting unit 12 is deflected only in the horizontal direction is shown, but the present invention is not limited to this, and the horizontal direction, the vertical direction, and a combination thereof are combined. The light may be deflected in any direction. For example, as shown in FIG. 10, the light can be deflected in an arbitrary direction by configuring the deflecting unit 12 by combining the first and

second deflecting units

22 a and 22 b.

FIG. 10 is a perspective view of one region constituting the first and

second deflecting portions

22a and 22b. The deflecting unit 12 shown in FIG. 10 is configured by stacking first and

second deflecting units

22a and 22b vertically. The basic configuration of the first and

second deflecting units

22a and 22b is the same as that of the deflecting unit 12 shown in FIG.

The shaded surface in the first deflection unit 22a indicates a surface where the liquid crystal 222a and the dielectric 223a are in contact with each other. This surface is inclined in the direction of arrow a (first direction) in FIG. Similarly, the shaded surface in the second deflecting unit 22b is a surface where the liquid crystal 222b and the dielectric 223b are in contact with each other. This surface is inclined in the direction of arrow b (second direction) in FIG. The first and second directions are directions that intersect (orthogonal) each other.

The lower first deflection unit 22a deflects the light output from the light source 11 (not shown in FIG. 10) in the first direction. Further, the second deflection unit 22b in the upper stage deflects the light transmitted through the first deflection unit 22a in the second direction and outputs it to the image display unit 13 (not shown in FIG. 10). That is, the light control unit 16 can deflect light transmitted through the deflection unit 12 in an arbitrary direction by applying a predetermined voltage to each of the first and

second deflection units

22a and 22b.

In the first and second embodiments, an example in which one region of the deflection unit 12 is the same size as or larger than the pixel of the image display unit 13 is shown. However, as shown in FIG. The area may be further divided into a plurality of small areas, and the deflection control may be individually performed for each small area. FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating an example in which the area of the deflecting unit 12 is divided into a plurality of small areas corresponding to sub-pixels.

First, the pixels constituting the image display unit 13 are composed of n (n is a natural number of 2 or more) sub-pixels. The area of the deflecting unit 12 includes n (n = 3 in the example of FIG. 11)

small areas

31, 32, and 33 corresponding to the sub-pixels that constitute the corresponding pixel.

Specifically, the pixel shown in FIG. 11 is composed of three sub-pixels of red (R), green (G), and blue (B). This sub-pixel can be realized by using a color filter of each color. The area of the deflection unit 12 includes a small area 31 corresponding to the red sub-pixel, a small area 32 corresponding to the green sub-pixel, and a small area 33 corresponding to the blue sub-pixel.

Here, when the light transmitted through each sub-pixel is deflected by the deflecting unit 12 (for example, the deflecting unit shown in FIG. 4) that is not divided into small regions, one point (collected light) of three colors is collected depending on the characteristics of each wavelength of RGB. It does not focus on the light spot P). In the example of FIG. 11, the light transmitted through the green sub-pixel reaches the condensing point P, but the light transmitted through the red sub-pixel is shifted to the left side of the condensing point P and is transmitted through the blue sub-pixel. Shifts to the right side of the condensing point P (see broken arrow).

Therefore, in the example of FIG. 11, the light control unit 16 collects the light of all colors at the condensing point P by absorbing such characteristics of the respective wavelengths, and the light control unit 16 has the

small regions

31, 32, 33. The deflection is controlled individually. That is, the light control unit 16 causes the light transmitted through the small region 31 corresponding to the red sub-pixel to be deflected further to the right than the dashed arrow, and the light transmitted through the small region 33 corresponding to the blue sub-pixel to be broken. A predetermined voltage is applied to each of the

small regions

31, 32, and 33 so as to be deflected further to the left than the arrow. Thereby, the light output from each sub pixel can be condensed on one point.

Although the present invention has been described based on the above embodiment, it is needless to say that the present invention is not limited to the above embodiment. The following cases are also included in the present invention.

(1) Specifically, each of the above devices can be realized by a computer system including a microprocessor, a ROM, a RAM, a hard disk unit, a display unit, a keyboard, a mouse, and the like. A computer program is stored in the RAM or the hard disk unit. Each device achieves its functions by the microprocessor operating according to the computer program. Here, the computer program is configured by combining a plurality of instruction codes indicating instructions for the computer in order to achieve a predetermined function.

(2) A part or all of the components constituting each of the above devices may be configured by one system LSI (Large Scale Integration). The system LSI is a super multifunctional LSI manufactured by integrating a plurality of components on a single chip, and specifically, a computer system including a microprocessor, a ROM, a RAM, and the like. . A computer program is stored in the ROM. The system LSI achieves its functions by the microprocessor loading a computer program from the ROM to the RAM and performing operations such as operations in accordance with the loaded computer program.

(3) Part or all of the constituent elements constituting each of the above devices may be configured from an IC card or a single module that can be attached to and detached from each device. The IC card or module is a computer system that includes a microprocessor, ROM, RAM, and the like. The IC card or the module may include the super multifunctional LSI described above. The IC card or the module achieves its functions by the microprocessor operating according to the computer program. This IC card or this module may have tamper resistance.

That is, an integrated circuit according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a light source and a plurality of pixels, and includes an image display unit that controls the transmission amount of light output from the light source for each pixel, and a plurality of regions. An image is displayed on an image display device including a deflection unit that deflects light directed from the light source toward the image display unit for each region. This integrated circuit controls whether the light transmitted through each of the plurality of regions of the deflection unit is deflected toward different first and second points according to the pixel value of the pixel corresponding to the region. A light control unit.

(4) The present invention may be realized by the method described above. Further, these methods may be realized by a computer program realized by a computer, or may be realized by a digital signal consisting of a computer program.

That is, an image display method according to an aspect of the present invention includes a light source and a plurality of pixels, and includes an image display unit that controls a transmission amount of light output from the light source for each pixel, and a plurality of regions. In this method, an image is displayed on an image display device including a deflection unit that deflects light directed from the light source toward the image display unit for each region. In this image display method, whether the light transmitted through each of the plurality of regions of the deflecting unit is deflected toward different first and second points according to the pixel value of the pixel corresponding to the region is determined. A light control step to control.

The present invention also relates to a computer-readable recording medium that can read a computer program or a digital signal, such as a flexible disk, hard disk, CD-ROM, MO, DVD, DVD-ROM, DVD-RAM, BD (Blu-ray Disc), You may implement | achieve with what was recorded on the semiconductor memory etc. Moreover, you may implement | achieve with the digital signal currently recorded on these recording media.

In the present invention, a computer program or a digital signal may be transmitted via an electric communication line, a wireless or wired communication line, a network represented by the Internet, a data broadcast, or the like.

The present invention is also a computer system including a microprocessor and a memory. The memory stores a computer program, and the microprocessor may operate according to the computer program.

Also, the program or digital signal may be recorded on a recording medium and transferred, or the program or digital signal may be transferred via a network or the like, and may be implemented by another independent computer system.

(5) You may combine the said embodiment and said modification, respectively.

As mentioned above, although embodiment of this invention was described with reference to drawings, this invention is not limited to the thing of embodiment shown in figure. Various modifications and variations can be made to the illustrated embodiment within the same range or equivalent range as the present invention.

The image display device of the present invention can improve the contrast and image quality of an image by effectively controlling the deflection of light, and can be widely applied to display devices. In addition, by configuring the liquid crystal display device using the present image display device, it can be used for a 3D liquid crystal display device, a privacy display, or the like with a simple configuration, which is useful.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 Image display apparatus 11 Light source 12

Deflection part

12a, 12b, 12c, 12aa, 12ab, 12ba, 12bb Area | region 13 Image display part 14 Image acquisition part 15 Detection part 16 Light control part 17 Condensing lens 22a 1st deflection part 22b 1st 2

deflection units

31, 32, 33 small area 111 solid-state laser 112 light guide plate 113 structure 121 liquid

crystal deflection element

122, 222a, 222b

liquid crystal

123, 223a, 223b dielectric 124, 125

transparent base material

126, 127 transparent electrode 161 pixel Discriminator 162 Deflection controller

Claims

A light source;
An image display unit configured by a plurality of pixels and controlling the transmission amount of light output from the light source for each pixel;
A deflecting unit configured by a plurality of regions and deflecting light from the light source toward the image display unit for each region;
Light control for controlling whether the light transmitted through each of the plurality of regions of the deflecting unit is deflected toward different first and second points according to the pixel value of the pixel corresponding to the region An image display device.
The light control unit deflects light transmitted through the region corresponding to a pixel whose brightness is equal to or greater than a predetermined threshold toward the first point, and the region corresponding to a pixel whose brightness is less than the threshold The image display apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the transmitted light is deflected toward the second point.
The image display device further includes a detection unit that detects the position of the viewer's eyes,
The said light control part makes the position of the viewer's eyes detected by the said detection part the said 1st point, and makes the position which remove | deviated from the viewer's eyes the said 2nd point. Image display device.
The image display device alternately displays a right-eye image and a left-eye image having parallax with each other,
The light control unit
At the timing when the right eye image is displayed, the position of the right eye of the viewer detected by the detection unit is the first point,
The image display device according to claim 3, wherein the position of the viewer's left eye detected by the detection unit is set as the first point at a timing at which a left-eye image is displayed.
The deflection unit is
A first deflector for deflecting light output from the light source in a first direction;
The image display device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, further comprising: a second deflection unit that deflects light transmitted through the first deflection unit in a second direction that intersects the first direction. .
The region is composed of n small regions provided corresponding to n (n is a natural number of 2 or more) sub-pixels constituting the pixel,
The light control unit individually controls a deflection angle of the n small regions so that light transmitted through each of the n sub-pixels is deflected toward the first point. The image display device according to any one of 5.
The image display device according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the image display unit is a liquid crystal panel.
The image display device according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the deflection unit controls a deflection direction by changing a light distribution of liquid crystal.
The image display device includes a plurality of the light sources,
The image display device according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the image display unit includes the pixels that are ten times or more the number of the light sources.
An image display unit configured by a light source and a plurality of pixels and controlling the transmission amount of light output from the light source for each pixel, and a plurality of regions configured to transmit light from the light source toward the image display unit. An image display method for displaying an image on an image display device including a deflection unit that deflects each region,
Light control for controlling whether the light transmitted through each of the plurality of regions of the deflecting unit is deflected toward different first and second points according to the pixel value of the pixel corresponding to the region An image display method including steps.
An image display unit configured by a light source and a plurality of pixels and controlling the transmission amount of light output from the light source for each pixel, and a plurality of regions configured to transmit light from the light source toward the image display unit. An integrated circuit that displays an image on an image display device including a deflection unit that deflects each region,
Light control for controlling whether the light transmitted through each of the plurality of regions of the deflecting unit is deflected toward different first and second points according to the pixel value of the pixel corresponding to the region An integrated circuit comprising a unit.